Meet The Team: Goalkeeper Kyle Ihn

February 1, 2019

This is part of our series where we reach out to Lansing Ignite players and coaches in an effort to get to know them before the season starts. Today we talk to Goalkeeper Kyle Ihn. He was in the USL last year with Reno 1868. He also previously played in what is now USL League Two for the Des Moines Menace.

Westen Shelton: I’m always interested in why someone ended up as a keeper. What got you into the position, and why do you enjoy playing it? Do you enjoy the spotlight and the stress?

Kyle Ihn: Honestly, my journey into soccer started with my older brother. He started playing, and the next thing I knew, we had a small goal in our back yard. He wanted to get better, and that meant shooting on an actual goalkeeper. My parents just sent me out there, and I just wanted to see how good I could get.

WS: Nate’s quote in your press release talked about you starting attacks from the back. How would you say your style of keeper play fits in with the attacking mindset for team is going to have?

KI: My style of play is going to help the team because I think of myself as a footballer before a goalkeeper. Yes, I can use my hands, but I love getting involved in possession activities and proving my ability with my feet.

Photo Credit: Minnesota United FC

WS: It looks like you grew up about an hour away from Madison. We have one game there this year. Coming back home as a pro, do you envision that being a more emotionally charged game for you? And do you anticipate having a lot of family and friends in attendance?

KI: I’m hoping to have a lot of family and friends in attendance, and being able to play at such a high level in front of people you care about is always going to bring out some emotions. As far as emotions from playing in Madison specifically, I’m very excited just because I have grown up in that area, and I know just how badly Wisconsin has been wanting a professional team to get behind, and I hope Madison will be just that and prove that Wisconsin is more of a soccer state than people believe.

WS: What was your favorite moment you have ever had on a soccer field?

KI: My favorite moments are some of the cliché moments, I think. Making my professional debut was definitely a special moment for me, but I also have some amazing memories playing collegiately at Green Bay.

Photo Credit: Midwest Pro Soccer Combine

WS: What hobbies do you have when you aren’t playing soccer?

KI: I feel like I’m pretty typical when it comes to hobbies outside of soccer. I’m a big video game nerd, but I also love doing pretty much anything outdoors as well. Cooking is a pretty relaxing pastime for me. Plus, I’m a fan of pretty much any sport imaginable.

WS: What personal goals do you have for yourself this year? What do you think you can work on to continue to climb the ranks in your career?

KI: I look at every year as a chance to improve upon myself, both on the field and off, and this year is no different. In terms of what I can do to climb, I feel like I’m not focused on making it to a higher league or anything like that. It would be amazing to reach those ranks as a player, but I just hope to continue growing as a person and a player and enjoying the journey for as long as I get the chance to do something I love for a living.